Author's posts
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– Damani Philips
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern Dr. Damani Phillips, is the Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and African-American Studies at the University of Iowa. He has earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from DePaul University and The University of Kentucky in classical saxophone; and a second Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from …
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– Poncho Sánchez
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern One of the most influential Afro-Cuban jazz percussionists is without a doubt, Poncho Sánchez. Sánchez has been performing for more than three decades. Apart from his solo career, Sánchez has been featured on many albums including Tito Puente, Freddie Hubbard, Terrence Blanchard, and many others. His “Latin Soul,” received …
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– Vijay Iyer
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern Vijay Iyer, Grammy-nominated composer and pianist, has been called “one of the most interesting and vital young pianists in jazz today,” by Pitchfork. In 2014 he began a permanent appointment as the Franklin D. and Florence Rosenblatt Professor of the Arts in the Department of Music at Harvard University. …
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– Marquis Hill
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern Marquis Hill, a Windy City native, recently won the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition. Chicago’s jazz scene is what shaped Hill to be the fine musician that he is today. Hill’s early studies came from the Ravinia Jazz Scholar Program. He did his undergraduate work at Northern …
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– Phil Hey
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern Phil Hey, a drummer from New York, currently teaches drum set at St. Olaf College and resides in Minnesota. He was privately instructed by Edward Blackwell while he attended the University of Minnesota. Hey has worked with many professionals including Benny Carter, Charlie Byrd, and Kenny Barron to name …
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– North Corridor Jazz All-Stars
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern The North Corridor All-Star Big Band, a newer addition to the festival, will be joining the lineup again this year. This group is similar to a group the IC jazz festival is very familiar with, the United Jazz Ensemble. The group is comprised of some of the most skilled …
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– Allison Miller
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern Allison Miller is highly regarded in the NYC jazz hub as a drummer, composer, and teacher. She is known for backing an array of artists like Ani DiFranco, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Merchant, and others. Recently, she has been a guest artist playing with NBC’s Late Night Seth Meyers house …
Iowa City Jazz Fest Profile– Akiko Tsuruga
By Laura Eckles, KCCK Programming Intern Hailing from Osaka, Japan, Akiko Tsuruga attended the Osaka College of Music. While attending Osaka, Tsuruga had the privilege to play with talented jazz musicians such as Roy Hargrove, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Grady Tate. Grady Tate acted as a mentor and had the strongest influence on her professional …